Daniel Rinaldi is a psychologist with a private practice in
Pittsburgh. At a first appointment with a patient, he is stunned to see
that his new client is Lisa Harland, a former Plalyboy model
and actress. She is from the Pittsburgh area and returned after her
career faltered in Hollywood. Now she is married to a very wealthy local
tycoon, and she tells Rinaldi that she plans to kill herself by 7:00
p.m. It is up to him to persuade her to live and to get to the bottom
of why she wants to die. But as she leaves the appointment, she is
kidnapped and held for ransom, an event that soon drags Rinaldi into
peril.

Phantom Limb is the fourth mystery featuring Daniel Rinaldi,
an intrepid hero who frequently finds himself drawn into puzzling and
dangerous situations while trying to help his patients. This novel is
the best yet, with an engrossing plot and entertaining characters who
frequently stumble into trouble. The author has sprinkled the pages with
beautiful descriptions that add to the enjoyment of this action
adventure.

Have you ever played Trivial Pursuit with a young person and let them
try the History category? It’s incredible what they don’t know, and
last month I found out first hand. My latest novel was turned down by a
publisher because the editor didn’t believe my thesis that knowledge of
the Holocaust would be abysmal one generation from now, so I produced a
video.

It was during Holocaust Education Week and a few days before
Remembrance Day. We went around asking university students in Toronto
some questions.

I asked the first two if they knew when the Holocaust occurred. They
looked at each other dumbfounded before one said “1980…” only to have
her friend interject with “No it wasn’t the 1980s.” They then concluded
it had taken place in the 1940s. As to how many Jews were killed, “a
million” sounded about right.

I posed a different question to the next students. Had they ever
heard of The Final Solution? No. How about D-Day and the beaches of
Normandy? Keep in mind this was just before Remembrance Day.

One shook his head ‘no,’ while the other said something about D-Day
being the last day of the war. I asked if they knew who FDR was. Nope.
How about Churchill?

“Winston Churchill?” the girl said. She knew the name but had no idea
who he was. The guy she was with said he had heard the name from a
history class long ago and acknowledged that there was a statue of
Churchill at Nathan Phillips Square, but who he was and what he did was a
mystery.

The next student told me D-Day fell on Feb. 14 and that “thousands”
of Jews had been killed in the Holocaust. Normandy? That was tough.
Another one said he had heard of the Holocaust, but couldn’t explain it.

I tried a different approach with the next pair. I asked who the
Allies were. Surely they would know this a mere three days before
Remembrance Day.

“These aren’t easy questions,” one of them said, laughing. Neither of
them had any idea. How about D-Day? A glimmer of recognition and one
said it was June 6th, which is correct.

“Do you know what happened on D-Day?” I asked.

No.

“Do you know who was fighting who?”

No.

I tried The Final Solution on three more students. Two of them shook
their heads and one said it had something to do with the Holocaust, but
that was it.

“Ever heard of Joseph Mengele?” I asked.

Uh-uh.

Undeterred, I pressed on. A girl told me that the Allies were Germany
and Russia before correcting herself with the realization these
countries were on opposite sides. Who were the Allies? She didn’t know. I
threw in the bit about D-Day and the beaches of Normandy – her friend
said Normandy was in London – but neither had the faintest idea what
happened that day and it got me thinking.

This was two weeks after a Canadian soldier had been gunned down
while standing guard at the War Memorial in Ottawa (see pages 1 and 2),
and another soldier had been run over and killed in Quebec.

Remembrance Day ceremonies would be poignant affairs this year. I
wondered what a war veteran who had stormed Juno Beach on June 6, 1944
would think about the current generation knowing nothing about D-Day,
never mind the Holocaust.

I tried one more student. Could she tell me who the Allies were? No. How about The Final Solution? No.
My novel, The Last Witness, is set in the year 2039 and is about a
100-year-old man who is the last living survivor of the Holocaust. But
he’s living in a world that is ignorant and complacent about the last
century and there are many reasons for that but number one is the fact
the schools don’t teach this stuff anymore and haven’t for some time.

In Ontario today you can take one history credit in Grade 9 and never
open a history book again. In my day we had Social Studies – which
combined History and Geography – in the early grades, and we always had
history in high school.

Not anymore.

The result is The Lost Generation when it comes to history, and
that’s why those students were scratching their heads searching for a
tidbit about Churchill, Normandy or the Holocaust. This profound level
of ignorance was my premise that the publisher’s editor didn’t buy in a
world 25 years from now. I don’t know if that editor has seen my video,
but he should.

Jerry Amernic is the author of historical novels. The Last
Witness is available on Amazon and the video mentioned in this article
is accessible at:

In my new Daniel Rinaldi thriller, Phantom Limb,
one of the main characters is an Afghan vet who lost his leg to an IED
while out on patrol with his unit. Now, stateside, he struggles with a
growing substance abuse problem, as well as some of the predictable
psychological aftereffects of such a life-changing trauma.

Moreover, he often experiences the bewildering sensation that his
missing limb is still attached to his body. It itches, aches, or feels
cold. Often, at night, while his prosthetic leg is propped against the
wall across the room, the former Marine tosses and turns in bed,
maddened by the tingling, burning sensation in his “phantom limb.”

Prior to becoming a licensed psychotherapist, I did intern work at a
private psychiatric facility where I encountered a number of amputee
patients suffering from this condition. But it wasn’t until I began
researching the new novel that I discovered that up to 80 percent of
people with amputations experience phantom limb sensations. Fortunately,
in most cases, the symptoms lessen over time.

But what causes this extraordinary syndrome? At present, there’s no
exact answer. For many years, the accepted theory was that once a limb
is amputated, the severed nerve endings continued to send signals to the
brain. Which then re-wires itself to adjust. To put it simply, from the
brain’s standpoint, this meant the severed limb was still “there.”

However, more recent research suggests that phantom limb sensations
originate in the peripheral nervous system, not the brain. They are the
result of alterations in the body’s wide neural network, outside the
primary areas in and around the brain. Of course, none of these theories
do much to reduce or eliminate the patient’s uncanny experience. Just
as most treatment methods have shown less than hoped-for results.
Patients have been prescribed everything from anti-depressants to
biofeedback, muscle relaxants to hypnosis. In some cases, doctors have
tried electrical nerve stimulation. For example, inserting an electrode
into the spinal cord, and then delivering a small electric current to
relieve discomfort.

Regardless of treatment approaches, both the sudden loss of an arm or
leg, as well as the phantom limb symptoms that often occur, are
indicative of the psychological trauma accompanying such extreme
injuries. Whether caused by an explosive device buried in the sand or as
the result of an auto accident, the sudden loss of a limb is an
emotional as well as a physical disruption of a person’s world.

In my novel, the character’s phantom limb symptoms serve as a
metaphor for the sense of absence we all feel when a part of us—either
due to an actual physical injury or some deep personal loss, such as a
painful divorce or the death of a loved one—is wrenched away. Leaving
nothing, to our mind’s eye, but a persistent, almost palpable ghost.
Gone, and yet not gone.

This painting of a War of 1812 battles graces the cover of Ronald Drez’s novel.

If every story has two sides, the Battle of New Orleans is the poster child of storytelling.

Some regard it as an unnecessary epilogue to the War of 1812, as the
treaty to end the war was signed hours after the two-week battle began.
Others consider the battle to be a victorious end to the war, and an
integral component of shaping both Louisiana and U.S. history.

Ronald Drez takes the latter stance. The author of LSU Press’s The War
of 1812, Conflict and Deception asserts that the British strategy and
the successful defense of New Orleans, through the leadership of Gen.
Andrew Jackson, affirm the serious implications of the climactic battle
that firmly secured the Louisiana Purchase territory for the U.S.

“It truly was the final revolution,” stated LSU alumnus Fred Atchity.
LSU Foundation Board member Henson Moore, part of the commission
selected to commemorate the battle’s bicentennial celebration,
approached Atchity to support publication of the book, which was, at the time, not yet completed.

Atchity went a step further. He spoke with his brother, Ken, with whom he owns Atchity
Brothers Entertainment. Together the brothers not only made a donation
to help underwrite the book, but also hired Drez as historical advisor
for his research-inspired movie they are producing.

“The book and the movie will set history straight on how important that war was, and what a great victory it was,” Fred said.

The movie is planned to begin shooting in spring 2015 and to be released
for the 2015 Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial celebration.

Through the use of primary sources, Drez provides a deeper understanding
of Britain’s objectives, as well as an accurate and compelling account
of the battle. “Our movie is going to be authentic,” Fred shared, adding
that after completion of the film, the brothers plan to send copies of
both the book and the movie to high schools and colleges throughout
Louisiana. “Maybe that will help teach the people in Louisiana how
important the battle was.”

Rachel Lee Walsh, is one of those all inspiring women that has covered and
conquered various obstacles and still stands tall in sharing and inspiring life for others. As
M.A is a reflection of so many artists’ journeys, it is once again a huge
honour to be able to share details on Rachel’s latest release – The Last
Scribe.

Thanks for sharing your story.

As a start, can
you tell our readers a bit more about yourself?

I would be delighted, Nadine. Thank you so much
for asking.

I guess I would say that I'm first and foremost a
mother and second of all an artist, poet and storyteller. I live in a small
town in North Idaho and have two beautiful and talented daughters who are also
artists in their own right. I also have
two adorable but lazy dogs, a kamikaze cat and a reclusive hamster named Wink.
For the last several years I've also been the caretaker for my grandfather who
suffers from advanced Alzheimers.

Any, weird and
wacky author habits?

When I edit my manuscripts I have to go into my
bedroom closet. It's the only place in
my house where there's no distractions or interruptions. Some of my best ideas have come to me while
sitting in a pile of shoes with a rack of clothes touching my head.

What inspired
the Last Scribe?

A great deal of what I've written in the past is
stories from my own life, but I had this fiction story always in the back of my
mind. I envisioned a heroine who questioned everything yet stood strong in what
she truly believed in. One day I was in a second hand book store and saw the
Apocrypha. As someone raised in a very religious environment, of course I'd
never been allowed to read it. I took it
home and read through the whole thing in a few days and when I was done, I knew
I had my story. It took three years of
development and another four years to actually write it but as of now, The Last
Scribe Series includes three full length novels and seven novellas and I've
loved every minute of it.

Your novel
includes history on the Book of Enoch, a book we all know was banned from the
bible, how has readers reacted towards your story?

So far I've had two different reactions. Most
people have no idea what the Apocrypha is, let alone the Book of Enoch. Those who do are either fascinated by what
I've done or scared to even read it. I've had a few people accuse me of
treading on dangerous ground by using this as a story basis. However, I've yet
to have anyone complain or question my motives after they actually read it.

Your main
character – Hope Matthews - takes a strong female lead, can you tell our
readers a bit more about her.

Hope is
the last surviving descendant of Enoch and the epitome of an imaginative,
passionate girl who struggles with feelings of inferiority and personal
rejection. Being left by her father at a young age and forced to conform and
compete in another family, she has identity crises that cause her to act
irrationally. She is tremendously strong willed, but also fearless which gets
her into trouble on a regular basis. By her very nature she is the perfect
example of the fight between good and evil in all of us.

The last Scribe
is not your first novel, can you tell our readers a bit more about your other
published books and where they can find them.

Currently, I have three prequel novellas
available on Amazon. You can find them here: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00L31D45I

Will you ever
allow your novels to branch over to film?

Absolutely! The Last Scribe is currently represented
by Ken Atchity of Atchity Entertainment and he has high hopes of seeing this
series developed into a feature film.

Will there be
more of Hope Matthews?

I like to say there will always be Hope. Before
she fades into memory I like to think her adventures will be exciting and
entertaining readers for many, many years to come.

What does the
future hold for Rachel lee Walsh?

Stories and more stories, I hope. I truly love
what I do and can't imagine doing anything else with the rest of my life. Right
now I have at least ten other story ideas waiting for me to sit down and bring
them to life.

Are there any
tips and tricks you’d like to relay to other aspiring authors?

Don't
give up! I can't tell you how many writers I know who have given up on their
stories without ever finishing them. Join a writing group with people
you don’t know (objectivity) and really invest yourself in it. Listen to advice
and critiques with an eye for improving your writing, not just arguing your
point. If you want to be good at any craft, connections, and commitment and
ongoing education is paramount.

"Writing Treatments That Sell, by Kenneth Atchity and Chi-Li Wong, is an excellent resource for any screenwriter who realizes the importance of writing successful treatments.

Many writers believe a treatment is another word for an outline, but the book makes it clear that a treatment is really a selling tool. While an outline is useful, a treatment must convey the essence of the screenplay. It should be written as a page turner.

A treatment should display conflict and resolution, character arcs, and the act structure of the screenplay. It should make the reader want to read the screenplay and see the movie. Kenneth Atchity and Chi-Li Wong show how to do that using excellent examples.

Additionally, the book provides information about the ins and outs of the film industry as well as how to protect your work through copyrighting. It offers more than the title suggests, and should be on every screenwriter’s shelf."

It’s no surprise that Dennis Palumbo’s hero in “Night Terrors: A Daniel Rinaldi Mystery” (Poisoned Pen Press, $27), the third installment of his four-book mystery series, is a psychologist working in an office located among the University of Pittsburgh’s many buildings in Oakland. Though he lives in Southern California, Mr. Palumbo is a Pittsburgh native who graduated from Pitt in 1973. He gave up a career as a screenwriter to become a psychotherapist.

His background has made for satisfying novels about hero Dr. Daniel Rinaldi, who takes time away from his patients to consult for the Pittsburgh police. Now, in “Night Terrors,” Dr. Rinaldi joins with Pittsburgh cops to work with the FBI.

The two law enforcement groups are after a killer who is destroying those he holds responsible for the conviction and death of another multiple killer he adored from a distance.

The psychologist becomes involved in the manhunt after the FBI calls on him to see its retired profiler Lyle Barnes, who is suffering from terrible night terrors in his sleep. Barnes is in protective custody with his former employer because the FBI believes he’s on the killer’s list. Barnes, however, runs away from the FBI’s tight custody, doubling the investigators’ problems.

While he’s involved with the Pittsburgh police and FBI manhunt, Rinaldi is persuaded to see a Wheeling woman distraught over the arrest of her grown son for a gruesome murder. The son has confessed, and the psychologist already has worked on the case for the Wheeling police, causing his reluctance to see the woman. But his new work with her and other happenings make him question her son’s guilt.

Even as Rinaldi wonders if the law can find Lyle Barnes before the killer gets him, he falls into a sexual relationship with a Pittsburgh detective he has long known and liked. How will the Barnes affair affect their affair?

And what about his work with the Wheeling woman? What time will he have to work with her and her belief in her son’s innocence? Could the two cases be related?

Complications abound, but Rinaldi — and Mr. Palumbo — resolve them in ways both plausible and enjoyable. Mr. Palumbo was a screenwriter for the film “My Favorite Year” and the TV series “Welcome Back, Kotter.” He did not lose his cinematic writing style when he became a psychotherapist.

He provides plenty of description in his novels, yet there are no wasted words. There are no wasted scenes either. Every one of them helps Rinaldi work successfully.

Mr. Palumbo’s first Dr. Rinaldi book, “Mirror Image,” was published in 2010. “Fever Dream” followed in 2011. His fourth installment “Phantom Limb” was recently released. He’s also the author of a short story collection called “From Crime to Crime” and the novel “City Wars.” His short fiction has appeared in “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine,” “The Strand” and other collections. He also wrote the nonfiction book “Writing From the Inside Out.”

1) Your format’s not professional, which is a blatant mark of amateurism--because proper format is easily found on the internet. There are even free programs available that will format your screenplay (Celtx).

3) Your script is filled with clichés and on-the-nose expository dialogue and narrative.

4) It’s never clear who the protagonist is. You don’t know whose story you’re reading.

5) If the protagonist is clear, you often don’t know what his dramatic problem is, and you don’t feel involved with him; you don’t know why you should care about his story. This problem is often left without clarification by the time the script ends.

6) The obstacles your protagonist faces aren’t strong enough, clear enough, or interesting enough to propel the story and captivate an audience.

7 ) Your protagonist doesn’t grow from the beginning of the story to the end.

13) Market research hasn’t been done, resulting in subject matter that isn’t sellable in today’s market; the stories aren’t written with any particular audience, market, or platform in mind. Forget about, “just write from the heart.” Write from the heart about things that matter to us all!

–Kenneth John Atchity, Hollywood producer and author of The
Messiah Matrix

“A galvanizing work combining espionage, paranormal
phenomena, religion, intrigue, and the realization that everything is
political. Horowitz synthesizes these ideas within a psychological tapestry
that showcases the decisionmaking prowess of a woman juggling survival and
cultural identity.”

–Charles Coleman, Film Program Director, Facets
Cinémathèque, Chicago

“A fast-paced political thriller that never loses sight of
its heart: a skeptical woman searching for love and a faith she can live with,
all while saving the world. A truly original heroine.”

–Chap Taylor, screenwriter, Changing Lanes

“Funny, fast-paced, and highly enjoyable.”

–D.P. Lyle, award-winning author of the Samantha Cody and
Dub Walker thriller series

AUTHOR-PRENEURS!

"In today’s unpredictable economic times, the only investment with any appreciable security at all is clearly investing in your own creative career—something you and only you can have control over. As I watch the Dow-Jones rise and fall and see that the projects of so many writing clients moving forward toward their pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, I commend all creative people with the vision to take risks on their own creativity. One thing for sure, the worst things are, the more the world needs stories!" -- Ken Atchity, the Story Merchant

VISIT THE STORY MERCHANT WEBSITE

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